U.S. Elections: Gerrymandering
Finding Articles
The following suggestions will be helpful when searching databases and resources, including those listed on the Elections Research Basics page.
Suggested Subject Headings
- Apportionment
- Election Districts
- Gerrymandering
- Reapportionment
Suggested Keywords
- Redistricting
- Gerrymandering or Gerrymander
Redistricting Resources
- National Conference of State Legislatures, Redistricting CriteriaReferences criteria and laws for each state.
- Gerrymandering (Ballotpedia )History, overview, and examples from 1812 to present. Includes references to important legal cases.
- Redistricting (FairVote)"FairVote is a nonpartisan champion of electoral reforms that give voters greater choice, a stronger voice, and a representative democracy that works for all Americans."
- Congressional Redistricting Law: Background and Recent Court Rulings2017 report of the Congressional Research Service
- Redistricting and Use of Census Data (2021)2021 report by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
- Brennan Center for Justice - RedistrictingThe Brennan Center for Justice is a nonpartisan law and policy institute.
- Princeton Gerrymandering Project"We develop and use mathematical tests that rigorously diagnose unequal opportunity and unfair outcomes in district maps."
- The Redistricting Game"The Redistricting Game is designed to educate, engage, and empower citizens around the issue of political redistricting. Currently, the political system in most states allows the state legislators themselves to draw the lines. This system is subject to a wide range of abuses and manipulations that encourage incumbents to draw districts which protect their seats rather than risk an open contest."
Congressional Redistricting
- About Congressional Districts - US CensusProvides overview and most recent district maps
- Congressional Research Service, "Congressional Redistricting Law: Background and Recent Court Rulings"2017 CRS study of Congressional Redistricting Law
- My Congressional District by US CensusProvides democratic information and maps for each congressional district.
- National Conference of State Legislatures, "Redistricting and Use of Census Data"Examines how congressional and legislative redistricting is handled by each state.
- FairVote, "Congressional Elections"FairVote’s Monopoly Politics reports present in-depth analysis of U.S. House elections and the structural origins of the polarization, partisan bias, and striking lack of competition that plague Congressional politics. The report also lays out a detailed national reform plan to illustrate how adoption of the RCV Act would address these problems and empower all voters to have their voices heard on Election Day.
Accompanying the report are projections for US House races, which illustrate the absence of meaningful competition in nearly all of these elections. - Washington Post, Congressional Redistricting"Our look at where all 50 states are in the congressional redistricting process, and how finished plans are likely to affect the partisan balance of their delegations."
- Dave's Redistricting MapDave's Redistricting is a group of volunteers who share a passion for technology and democracy. Our mission is to empower civic organizations and citizen activists to advocate for fair congressional and legislative districts, and increased transparency in the redistricting process.
Provides interact maps for congressional, state senate, and state house districts. Maps depict partisan leanings and demographic data.
Documentaries at PSU Library
- Gerrymandering (via Films on Demand)Call Number: OnlinePublication Date: 2012"Focusing on the fight to pass Proposition 11 - drafted to give redistricting power to a bipartisan rather than legislative group - this documentary explores the ethical implications of gerrymandering and looks at some historical examples of how the practice has been used."
- Gerrymandering Is Destroying the Political Center : a Debate byCall Number: OnlinePublication Date: 2016"Does the practice of gerrymandering- dividing election districts into units to favor a particular group- subvert democracy by making certain congressional districts "safe" for one party or the other and more susceptible to extremist views? "
What is Gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering: How drawing jagged lines can impact an election by Christina Greer for TED-Ed (Oct. 25, 2012)
Gerrymandering Etymology
First published in the Boston Gazette in March 26, 1812, satirists claimed Governor Elbridge Gerry's new district looked like a salamander, later called a Gerrymander.
Oregon Redistricting
In Oregon, redistricting is defined by Or. Const. Art. IV, § 7 and Or. Rev. Stat. § 188.010.
Requirements for state legislative districts:
- Contiguous, Preserve Political Subdivisions, Preserve Communities of Interest
- Prohibits Intentionally Favor Party, Incumbent or Person
Requirements for Congressional Districts
- Contiguous, Preserve Political Subdivisions, Preserve Communities of Interest
- Prohibits Intentionally Favor Party, Incumbent or Person.
(Source)
- Oregon Redistricting Reform Task ForceContains reports and resources regarding Oregon redistricting.
- Oregon RedistrictingThe Official Oregon State Redistricting site. Includes current district maps, news, updates, discussion documents, and hearing materials.
Books
Drawing the Lines: Constraints on Partisan Gerrymandering in U.S. Politics by Call Number: E-BookISBN: 1501705318Publication Date: 2017-02-07
Election Systems and Gerrymandering Worldwide by Call Number: PSU Library Shelves -- 3rd floor JF1083 .B53 2020ISBN: 9783030308360Publication Date: 2020-05-31
Gerrymandering : a guide to congressional redistricting, dark money, and the US Supreme Court by Call Number: E-BookISBN: 9780761870258Publication Date: 2018-05-18
Gerrymandering and the Courts : Evaluating Judicially Manageable Standards (PSU MA Thesis) by Call Number: E-BookPublication Date: 2018
Partisan Gerrymandering and the Construction of American Democracy by Call Number: E-BookISBN: 9780472119011Publication Date: 2013-09-30
Political Gerrymandering and the Courts by Call Number: E-BookISBN: 0875862632Publication Date: 2003-01-01
Redistricting: The Most Political Activity in America by Call Number: E-BookISBN: 1442203536Publication Date: 2010-06-16
The Realities of Redistricting: following the rules and limiting gerrymandering in state legislative redistricting by Call Number: PSU Library Shelves -- 3rd floor JF 1341.W56 2008ISBN: 9780739121863Publication Date: 2009-08-16
Gerrymandering : the politics of redistricting in the United States by Call Number: PSU Library Shelves -- 3rd floor JK1341 .M44 2021ISBN: 9781509536870Publication Date: 2021-07-06
